PITTSBURGH — The Steelers released 16-year veteran punter Chris Gardocki from their roster today, it was announced.

Gardocki (6-1, 192) signed with the Steelers prior to the 2004 season and was the team's punter the past three seasons. Originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round (78th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft out of Clemson, Gardocki played four seasons with the Bears, four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and then five years with the Cleveland Browns before coming to the Steelers.

Gardocki has never had a punt blocked in his career, booting a league-record 1,177 times without one being blocked. In his three seasons with Pittsburgh, he had 199 punts for 8,369 yards (42.1 avg.), including a long of 65 yards.

In his 16 seasons, Gardocki punted 1,177 times for 50,336 yards (42.8 avg.) and was named to the Pro Bowl following the 1996 season. That year, he posted a career-high 45.7 punting average.